From childhood, I’ve associated springtime with tulips. Each year, my mother planted the ubiquitous, red variety. The bright blooms, while short-lived, signaled the arrival of warmer weather and Easter. Wherever I lived, I would plant tulips. At least I did until I moved to Texas. Tulips aren’t readily adaptive to mild Texas temperatures. Without the colder winter, tulips won’t develop their flower bud. I tried one year to trick my tulip bulbs by pre-cooling them in the refrigerator for forty-five days. Alas, the result still proved disappointing that spring. But I have new hope. I found Texas Tulips, a small tulip farm near Pilot Point. Yes, a tulip farm in North Texas.

Texas Tulips

Pieter and Petra Koeman, originally from the Netherlands, own and operate the small farm. Beginning late February, the tulip fields are open to visitors. This is not a formal garden. It’s a working tulip farm with rows of blooms waiting to be picked. The novelty of you-pick tulips drew hundreds of people the afternoon of my visit. There were college students from nearby University of North Texas, families with small children, seniors, and a surprising number of young couples, all there to enjoy the spring blooms and take home a bouquet.

Parking is free, but entry to the farm is $5 a person. The tulips sell for $2.50 a stem. That can be a bit pricey, but I was able to assemble a $20 bouquet with some unique tulip varieties that you will not find at your local Kroger. To avoid crowds, try a weekday or come early in the morning. You’ll have to hurry as there are only a couple of more weeks left for tulip blooming. Texas Tulips is located at 10656 FM 2931 in Pilot Point.

Buy the Bulbs

If you miss the farm this season, don’t despair. Texas Tulips sells bulbs online for planting next year. Order your bulbs now and they will be shipped to you the first week in December for your own spring tulip display.